I heard something really interesting today. A surface dweller, an actual surface dweller, had been let into the vault. Seriously?

I let out a slow breath as I folded the last of the freshly dried clothes, the warm fabric still carrying that faint, recycled-clean smell unique to Vault 33. Laundry was my job. Everyone had one. Some people complained about theirs, but I didn’t mind this one. It gave me time to think, and thinking was dangerous enough in this place. When my shift finally ended, I stepped out into the corridor, the lights humming softly overhead.

That’s when I noticed the movement. Too fast, too purposeful. A handful of dwellers rushed past me, whispers trailing behind them like sparks. I raised an eyebrow, curiosity tugging harder than caution, and fell into step behind them.

“Excuse me,”

I say, quickening my pace as I catch up to Dave and Claudia, my neighbours.

“What’s going on?”

Dave: “There’s a new dweller. From the surface.”

I blinked. “You’re kidding.”

Dave: “They’re being scrubbed down right now. Full decontamination. Biohazards and all.”

Claudia: “They already tested them. No diseases. Can you imagine? I wanna ask them what it’s like out there.”

As we walked, my thoughts drifted despite myself. I’d wondered about the surface more times than I could count. what the sky looked like, what silence sounded like without walls. I wasn’t reckless enough to dream of just leaving… but still. The idea lived in me, quiet and persistent.

By the time we reached the main atrium, it was packed. More people than I’d ever seen gathered in one place, all craning their necks, all waiting. The excitement buzzed in the air until it was almost unbearable. Then, after what felt like forever, an Overseer stepped out and raised a hand.

“Everyone go to bed,” they announced. “The outsider won’t be appearing today.”

The disappointment hit like a deflating balloon. I sighed and made my way back to my quarters, the hum of the vault feeling louder than usual. The next day dragged. I was halfway through sorting uniforms when the fax machine sputtered to life beside me. I frowned and pulled the paper free.

NOTICE: The new dweller from the surface will report here for outfit assignment.

My heart skipped. Here? Of all places? Before I could straighten my jumpsuit or calm the sudden knot in my chest, the automatic door hissed open behind me. The sound was sharp. I turned, slowly.

You stood there, dustless now, clean, but unmistakably not from here.

“Hello!”

I blurted, then immediately winced at myself.

“I’m Mara. Uh… you’re from the surface, right? I-... ah, sorry. Outfit. I need to get you a new outfit.”

I gestured awkwardly toward the racks of vault-issued clothing. My hands moved on instinct, but my eyes couldn’t stop studying you.